Virden-Pana Coal Mine Wars
Title
Virden-Pana Coal Mine Wars
Subject
Labor disputes
Labor unions
Labor unions--Organizing
Coal miners--Labor unions--Organizing
Strikes and lockouts
Strikes and lockouts--Coal mining
Coal miners--Labor unions
Military camps
Soldiers
Illinois--Virden
Illinois--Pana
Illinois. National Guard
Coal miners
Mining industry
Miners
African Americans
Description
In September 1898 representatives of the United Mine Workers of America stopped a railroad car in Virden, Illinois, filled with potential African American strikebreakers. The train continued on to Springfield after the union members informed them of the strike between the members and the Chicago-Virden Coal Company.
On October 12, 1898, a second train of African American strikebreakers from Birmingham, Alabama, and security guards arrived in Virden. The security guards opened fire when striking miners attempted to surround the train at the entrance to the mining facility. The train departed Virden after twenty minutes of gunfire and headed for Springfield. By the end of the conflict four security guards and seven striking miners were killed and 30 people were wounded. The mine owners accepted unionization at the mine in November 1898 and the mine remained segregated for many years after.
Similar conflicts occurred in Pana on April 10, 1899, Lauder on June 6, 1899, and Carterville on September 17, 1899.
On October 12, 1898, a second train of African American strikebreakers from Birmingham, Alabama, and security guards arrived in Virden. The security guards opened fire when striking miners attempted to surround the train at the entrance to the mining facility. The train departed Virden after twenty minutes of gunfire and headed for Springfield. By the end of the conflict four security guards and seven striking miners were killed and 30 people were wounded. The mine owners accepted unionization at the mine in November 1898 and the mine remained segregated for many years after.
Similar conflicts occurred in Pana on April 10, 1899, Lauder on June 6, 1899, and Carterville on September 17, 1899.
Collection Items
Company B, Illinois National Guard
Members of Company B gather for a group photo. On verso: "Co B (Elgin), Sons of Veterans Regiment at Pana and Virden."
Armed Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard stand armed outside two small buildings in Virden.
Illinois National Guard Recreation Activity
Members of the Illinois National Guard pass time in Virden by tossing another member on a sheet.
Illinois National Guard Recreation
Members of the Illinois National Guard pass time in Virden by tossing another member on a sheet.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard stand guard at the railroad entrance to the coal mine in Virden.
Galesburg Company, Illinois National Guard
Members of the Galesburg Company stand outside tents with their rifles.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard stand near their camp with supplies.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard stand outside their tent with their weapons.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard rest their weapons while posing for a portrait outside a tent.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Two members of the Illinois National Guard stand at the entrance of their tent with their uniform jackets in their hands.
Soldiers Standing at Attention
Members of the Illinois National Guard stand outside their tents for inspection.
Galesburg Company, Illinois National Guard
Members of the Galesburg Company gather at camp for a candid group photograph.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard pose for a picture standing behind a trio of rifles.
Illinois National Guard Soldiers
Members of the Illinois National Guard stand with their weapons at camp.
Officers with African American Man
Members of the Illinois National Guard labeled "Huntoon" and "Parker" stand outside a tent with an unidentified African American man.
Galesburg Company, Illinois National Guard
Two members of the Galesburg Company pose for a picture out of uniform as people in carriages pass by.
Soldiers Eating
Member of the Illinois National Guard enjoy a meal. Soldiers are labeled from left to right: "Barnes, Manahan, Setdman, Downer, Gronberg, Blisk."
Collection Tree
- Illinois Photographic Collection
- Virden-Pana Coal Mine Wars